OPINION

By Clifton Brown

updated 2:04 p.m. ET May 6, 2009

Brett Favre might be fishing, but the Vikings should not take the bait.

Another Favre Watch has commenced. ESPN reported Tuesday that the retired quarterback plans to meet with Vikings coach Brad Childress at an undisclosed location this week to discuss another possible return to the NFL. The Vikings would require Favre to participate in all offseason minicamps, as well as training camp.

According to the report, Favre has not been working out and hasn't undergone surgery to repair a torn biceps tendon in his throwing arm. Still, the thought of having Favre at quarterback intrigues Childress. And the thought of playing the Packers certainly intrigues Favre.

Before the Vikings consider signing Favre, they should take a long look at his last four games with the Jets. Favre threw two touchdown passes and eight interceptions during that stretch as the Jets faded and missed the playoffs.

Yes, Favre played quite well at times in 2008. But he also played poorly at times, particularly late in the season. That often happens to aging athletes, even those headed to the Hall of Fame like Favre. Finishing every season becomes a challenge. Consistency becomes elusive. Every ache takes longer to heal.

It is easy to see what attracts Favre to the Vikings. Childress is a friend. His offensive system suits Favre's strengths. The Vikings are a contender with a solid defense and a great running back in Adrian Peterson. The Vikings are a better fit than the Jets were in '08. And the Vikings play in the NFC North, giving Favre two games against a Packers organization he awkwardly divorced last summer.

However, there is no guarantee Favre can take the playoff-caliber Vikings and make them a Super Bowl contender. In fact, the evidence suggests otherwise.

In three of his last four seasons, Favre has thrown at least as many interceptions as touchdowns. His great 2007 season with the Packers looks more like a last hurrah than something he can duplicate.

Favre joins Vikings AP file   Video: Vikings are ‘the perfect fit,’ Favre says   Video: ‘I didn’t want to say ‘What if’ ’ Curran: Win-win for Favre and Vikings Celizic: Worst flip-flopper in sports history Newsweek: Let's give Favre a break Live vote: How will Vikings do with Favre Live vote: Does this hurt Favre's legacy? Packers not shocked by Favre's move   Slide show: Tracking QBs who couldn't quit Timeline of Favre's career  |    Slide show Fantasy impact: Favre not a huge get Vote: Top star in Minnesota sports history?

If Favre's arm is not healthy, it is unrealistic to expect his performance to improve over last season.

Favre turns 40 years old in October, and a part of him probably will want to play when he turns 50. He loves football and always plays with passion, and such athletes usually have the most trouble walking away.

Favre might have unfinished business with Packers general manager Ted Thompson, but that is not the Vikings' concern. They made the playoffs without Favre last season. They traded for a quarterback, Sage Rosenfels, this offseason who might be an upgrade over last year's starter, Tarvaris Jackson. If the Vikings sign Favre, Rosenfels should grab a clipboard because Favre never will be anyone's backup.

Meanwhile, where Favre walks the media follows in step. The extra media attention, the extra scrutiny, the extra second-guessing and the possible friction in the locker room all would test Childress and his players.

Some Jets grew plenty tired of The Favre Show. Once they started losing, resentment rose to the surface. Chemistry is important. It's a lesson Cowboys owner Jerry Jones learned the hard way, finally giving up on Terrell Owens this offseason simply to make the team more harmonious.

Maybe Childress and Favre will meet and realize they are better off remaining friends rather than becoming co-workers. Favre should have thrown his last pass for the Packers. And Childress should take a pass on bringing Favre to the Vikings.

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Colts won’t be down for long PFT: Colts favored to win SB 45; Saints, Chargers 2nd   Vote: Who will win Super Bowl XLV in 2011? Offseason priorities for all 32 NFL teams PFT: Shanahan reportedly might draft QB at No. 4 PFT: Steelers or Vikings vs. Saints on opening night PFT: Peppers, Panthers appear headed for divorce PFT: Martz says Cutler not ‘difficult to deal with’   PFT: Stallworth set to work out with Lions PFT: Sapp is getting, and heeding, good legal advice NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: